State limousines of England

=Bentley State Limousine=

The British royal family has a long history of bespoke limousines stretching back to Daimler models owned by King Edward VII. On state occasions, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom usually travels in one of two bespoke Bentley State Limousines.

The vehicles are based on the Bentley Arnage floorpan, with a twin-turbocharged 6.75 litre V8 engine that produces 400 bhp (298 kW) and 616 lbf•ft (835 N•m) of torque. Maximum speed is 130 mph (210 km/h). The state limousine is three feet longer than a standard Bentley Arnage, 10 inches taller and six inches wider. It is equipped with broad suicide doors, which are hinged at the rear and open almost 90 degrees. [cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/on-her-majestys-service-2002-bentley-state-limousine/
title=On Her Majesty's Service: 2002 Bentley State Limousine|accessdate=2008-04-23|author=Noah Joseph |publisher=Autoblog.com |date=April 23, 2008 10:02AM ]

Other state cars

The Royal Mews also contains a rare Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, which was purchased by the Queen in 1950, becoming a state car upon her accession to the throne, along with two Rolls-Royce Phantom VI models, including the bespoke Silver Jubilee Car, presented by the British motor industry in 1977, and three Daimler DS420 limousines, one of which was previously owned by HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother until her death in 2002. These cars are used when the Queen is travelling abroad and are also made available for visiting heads of state and other members of the royal family on official business. Under British Law, the monarch's State vehicles do not possess licence plates (although the three Daimler models do have them); but the monarch's personal vehicles and those of other members of the Royal Family do.

A retired Rolls-Royce Phantom V state car, as owned by both the Queen and the Queen Mother until 2002, can be seen in the purpose-built garage aboard the former Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh and a state car (commonly the rarely used Phantom IV model) is usually on display at the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace.

Prince Charles uses an armoured Bentley Turbo R for offical use and, like other senior royals, uses either Audi A6 models or Range Rovers for regular transport.

Personal vehicles of the royal family

For non-official journeys, the Queen will usually be driven in an armoured Daimler Super V8, similar to that used by the Prime Minister. This is escorted by the same vehicles as a state car. She also occasionally uses a Range Rover. On visits to Balmoral and Sandringham, as well as when portrayed in the film, The Queen, she has been seen at the wheel of a Land Rover Defender. The Duke of Edinburgh owns a Land Rover Discovery and a MetroCab for his personal use in London.

British government

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is usually driven in an armoured Daimler Super V8 escorted by Range Rovers and police motorcycle outriders. The current model, purchased by Tony Blair, is based on the current Jaguar XJ (X350). For a few months after his appointment in June 2007, Gordon Brown reverted to the previous Prime Ministerial car, a navy blue (X308) model purchased in 2000, but he has now resumed use of the X350 model. The 2000 vehicle replaced a dark green X300 model, built for Prime Minister John Major, which gained international media attention when it bore Tony Blair to Buckingham Palace on the day after the 1997 general election.

The British government maintains the Government Car and Despatch Agency which provides transport for senior government officials.

External links

* [http://www.rrab.com/bgoldjub.htm#top Bentley State Limousine for H.M. The Queen]